Karaka continues its support of the Melbourne spring carnival on Saturday by sponsoring the LR NZ Bloodstock Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.

It’s one of the main lead-ups to the VRC Oaks and is named in honour of New Zealand’s 2001 Caulfield Cup winner Ethereal (Rhythm).  Bred and raced by Pencarrow Stud, Ethereal won some of Australia’s feature Group 1 races including the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, BMW Stakes and Queensland Oaks.

With a majority of the fillies nominated for the G1 VRC Oaks, Saturday’s field is headed by one of four Karaka graduates, the Danny O’Brien trained Donna Cattiva (Captain Rio).  A stakes winner last season, the filly is a sister to 2YO G1 winner Il Quello Veloce and comes into the race third up from a spell.

O’Brien will saddle another NZB graduate in Keep De Rose (Keeper) who has had just two starts, winning her last appearance at Ballarat over 1600 metres, and will take a considerable step up in company from a tough outside draw.

Mick Price’s Di Lusso (Lonhro) also carries the Karaka tag and is another that will take a step up in class after running fourth at Ballarat over a mile at her last start.

Karaka graduate Kate (St Reims) made her Australian debut in the G2 Edward Manifold Stakes for trainers Vanessa & Wayne Hillis at her last start and will appreciate the step up in trip to the 2000 metres on Saturday.

Darley filly Cameo (Shamardal) comes into the race with good credentials for Peter Snowden having run a good fourth in the Edward Manifold Stakes at her last start, as does Transonic (Casino Prince) for John Thompson who has won her last two starts, her most recent at Mornington by over two lengths.

Anthony Cummings has accepted with Ireland’s Teardrop (Fastnet Rock) as does Guy Walter’s Zuccotto (Quest for Fame).  Both fillies broke maiden ranks two starts ago but were unplaced in their last races, with Ireland’s Teardrop finishing behind the boys in the Listed Dulcify Stakes over 1900m.

An interesting runner in the field is Summerbliss (Danehill Dancer) who will take her place after winning her debut at Ballarat by almost two lengths for trainer Michael Kent.

Zabeel filly Gondokoro is the only filly that comes into the race via the Group 1 Flight Stakes.  Gondokoro is trained by Pat Carey and comes into the race as a maiden but being a Zabeel filly, the extra distance of Saturday’s race is likely to be in her favour.

Filling out the field are Madam Archer (Red Dazzler), Ten Black (Al Maher), Alzora (Redoute’s Choice), Zazparella (Al Maher), Nextess (Stratum) and Operation Twist (Testa Rossa).

The $120,000 Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Ethereal Stakes (2000m) will be held at Caulfield at 1.20pm (AEDT).